World Cup: Disgraceful – Rio Ferdinand Slams VAR Over Lionel Messi’s Penalty
1 min readPremier League legend, Rio Ferdinand has slammed the video assistant referee, VAR, describing as disgraceful its decision to award a penalty to Argentina in their 2-0 against Poland on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi rose to head a cross, with Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny coming out to punch the ball, touching Messi’s face in the process.
The referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty to Argentina after a long check of VAR.
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However, the former Arsenal goalkeeper saved the spot-kick from Messi, but Ferdinand was not happy, wondering how that incident could even pass for a foul.
“Disgraceful decision, disgraceful, this isn’t what VAR is here for,” Ferdinand said on the BBC coverage.
“He’s flicked his eyelash for starters, that’s an outrageous decision that’s been made.”
Argentina went on to win the game by 2-0 over the Polish side that still made it to the round of sixteen despite the loss.